As Santa Barbara families seek ways to bridge the hours between school and home with purpose and care, after-school initiatives are quiet powerhouses of potential. From creative outlets to sports and inclusive play spaces, these programs are vital in helping young people explore, express, and create meaningful connections to their community.
Apples to Zucchini Cooking School
Join Apples to Zucchini Cooking School classes weekly to learn amazing cooking skills and enjoy tasty meals, all while cooking and cleaning up together. Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a mini chef, these classes serve up fun, friendship, and unforgettable flavors. atozcookingschool.org
Bucket Brigade Volunteer
When disaster strikes, Bucket Brigade shows up. Through weekly community restoration projects, they build skills, grow their volunteer force, and keep Santa Barbara strong. It’s all part of the Community Resilience Engine, a powerful cycle of helping today so we’re ready to respond tomorrow. Teens are welcome in the community garden and in the Bucket Brigade Academy. sbbucketbrigade.org
805 Beach Volleyball
Join an all-star squad of pro coaches for the 805 Beach After-School Clinics, where the sun’s shining, the vibes are high, and the sand is your playground. Held at the legendary East Beach in Santa Barbara, these clinics are open to all skill levels. With epic drills, chill games, and some good old friendly competition, this is the coolest way to spend your after-school hours. 805beach.com/afterschoolclinics
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara
Empowering girls and teens through after-school programs that foster confidence, curiosity, and leadership. Serving girls from TK through 12th grade, their evidence-based curriculum emphasizes STEM, arts, literacy, financial literacy, and emotional resilience. With a commitment to accessibility, financial assistance is available for families, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to participate and thrive. girlsincsb.org
Lights Up! Theatre Company
Professional training in acting, singing, and dance within a supportive environment. Committed to meeting performers at their individual stages of growth, the company offers diverse classes and stages two musicals and one play each season to enhance artistic development. Lights up!lightsupsb.com/about/
PEAK2PACIFIC
Outdoor Adventurers with a passion to explore nature will have opportunities to experience Santa Barbara’s PEAK and PACIFIC environments through the creative eyes of an artist, the inquisitive mind of a scientist, and the adventurous spirit of a climber, surfer, paddler, or sailor. peak2pacific.com
SBIFF’s After-School Cinema Class
Ever dreamed of making your own movie? SBIFF’s After-School Cinema Class lets you do just that. Learn from real film pros as you write, shoot, direct, and edit your own short film. From pitch to post-production, you’ll gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and discover your creative voice—all while having a blast. sbiff.org/after-school-cinema-class
SB Zoo After-School Programs
The Santa Barbara Zoo’s after-school program is packed with hands-on activities, cool experiments, and nature-filled fun. Each session explores a new theme, like biodiversity or biomimicry, so there’s always something exciting to discover. Designed for K–6th graders, this 8–12 week adventure makes science come alive after the school bell rings. sbzoo.org
Surf Happens
The local leader in surfing instruction, with an exceptional team available year-round, offering private and group lessons for all ages. With their open booking schedule, you can register online or call to inquire about the time, best location, and a qualified instructor to fit your child’s needs. As they say, “Get ready to shred!” surfhappens.com
Wilderness Youth Project
A unique after-school nature program called the Bridge to Nature. This program provides after-school nature programs open to the communities near/at Aliso, Franklin, Harding, and SB Community Academy. We live in a natural wonderland of expansive beauty, and WYP aims to make nature accessible to all children, from preschool through high school. wyp.org
Yellow Bird Music
The beloved local music studio offering a wide range of after-school programs designed for children and families of all ages. Their Musical Theater Program is a nurturing, beginner-friendly space where children can explore acting, improv, singing, and stage presence in a supportive environment. Also, private lessons in piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, flute, voice, accordion, songwriting, and more are tailored to students from early elementary through adulthood. yellowbirdmusic.com
Nurturing potential beyond the school day
In a world that often moves too fast, after-school programs can help slow the pace